2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. This similarity was evident in its design, leading some to refer to it as a Pilot Sport. Inside, the Passport's dashboard layout mirrored that of the Pilot, sharing Honda's unique "button shifter" design instead of a traditional lever. Despite these corporate design choices, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials. It offered various trim levels, including Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, each adding more features like leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and advanced audio systems.

In contrast, the 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from Volvo's boxy cars of the past, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while moving towards luxury. The XC90, built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, was Volvo's flagship SUV. It featured a sleek design with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches, exuding quality with superior fit and finish. The interior was described as "Scandinavian Modern" with natural wood and metal trim, offering a luxurious feel. Volvo's commitment to going leather-free by 2030 was evident, with options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with optional all-wheel drive. The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling. The Passport had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and offered drive modes for different terrains. It could tow up to 3,500 pounds with FWD and 5,000 pounds with AWD.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 250 hp, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version delivering 316 hp, and the T8 plug-in hybrid with a combined 455 hp. The T5 was available in FWD and AWD, while the T6 and T8 were AWD only. The XC90 engines required Premium gasoline, with varying fuel economy ratings. The T8 had an 18-mile EV range, and the extended range variant offered up to 36 miles. The XC90 handled well for its size, with minimal body roll and smooth power delivery, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. It featured an additional 2.5 cubic feet in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim included a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims had a hands-free power liftgate. The seating position provided excellent visibility, and the interior had ample storage options. The rear seats offered plenty of headroom and legroom, with reclining and sliding capabilities.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was available in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row. It offered 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with it folded, and up to 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. The XC90 could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior was spacious and airy, enhanced by a panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well even in high temperatures and humidity, providing a comfortable environment.

The 2021 Honda Passport featured standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While these features were a welcome addition, the system had dated graphics and a confusing menu layout. The volume dial felt like an afterthought, and the audio interface lacked a tuning dial.

The 2022 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system offered tablet-like functionality with familiar gestures. However, it was occasionally glitchy and slow to respond. The system worked better with Apple CarPlay, and the XC90 also supported Android Auto. The nine-inch touchscreen was positioned for easy access, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel provided crisp graphics. The Advanced package included a head-up display and a 360-degree camera system. The XC90 came with a Harman Kardon Premium Sound system, with an optional Bowers & Wilkins upgrade. It featured multiple USB ports and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Honda Passport was equipped with advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS, with some "Acceptable" ratings.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Pilot Assist system offered assisted driving on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.